[BAYsic]

Hello All,

I just purchased an e93 335 (my first BMW!) last week and have been looking through this forum and getting most of my questions answered. However, there are two things I can't exactly pin down.

1. Front Bumper Conversion

So I have a 2008 335i convertible. My bumper looks like this:

The bumper I want looks like this:

Can someone please let me know what front bumper this is and whether it will fit on my car without modification? I am still confused as to when LCI started and whether that will fit (and exactly what it is). Also, I have seen a lot of talk about M-Tech. I am assuming this is the OE bumpers that are manufactured for the M3s, M5s, etc. As you can see, I am still learning my way around the terminology, so if you could please dumb it down for me, that would be great!

Also, this bumper will accept carbon fiber splitters correct?

2. Rims/Tires

I am completely infatuated with the Style 313 rim. Is there any reason I shouldn't by the Miro knockoff? I found one post discussing poor quality on these rims and was wondering if anyone had thoughts.

Also, the 19" are offered in a variety of offsets. What offset is required for my vehicle?

Lastly, consensus is that I should not purchase RFTs for the new rims. Can someone suggest a tire make/model?

Sorry for all the pestering questions. In time, I will know enough about the car to not ask so many stupid questions, but I am still figuring it out. Thank you in advance for you assistance!

Amir

[FVM3]

1. That is just the aero lip taped on the bumper that you have, go get on ebay, its called aero lip . LCI stands for facelift and it starts in 2010 on e92 and 2009 on e90 ( please correct me if im wrong)

[Timothy J]

09/08 for LCI sedan (life cycle impulse)

[EZ_TUR90]

The bumper you want just has an add on aero lip. An oem one can be purchased at getbmwparts.com

As for the rims, no reason why you shouldn't. You'll probably save about 3k on wheels if you choose a replica rim. I personally would get run flats since you don't have a spare. Safe than sorry right? I am no master when it comes to offset, but other members will give you more details.

My suggestion is get painted side reflectors to clean up the look.

Welcome!

[BAYsic]

That's only an add-on lip?!?! Best news I've heard in a while. I will purchase ASAP.

I am definitely painting the sidemarkers. I was getting the bumper repainted anyway (took off the front license plate and had to cover over the holes, so I am having my body shop also paint the side markers). Now that I know I don't need a whole new front bumper, I will just go and buy that lip and have the whole thing done at once.

Thanks a lot for everyone's help thus far!

Amir

[BAYsic]

What about these front/rear bumpers? I think these are the m-tech. Are they direct bolt-ons?






Thanks

[Blacksapphiref06]

Yes mtech bumpers are direct bolt on. But they are a bit pricey.

[Bimmer84]

e92/93 LCI was MY2011, which was in production after 03/10 if I am not mistaken. You won't have a LCI if its 2008. I can't view the pictures at work, but it seems the bumper question has been answered. Not being able to see them, I would say get the lip assuming you don't have the Mtech, its much cheaper. M Tech is a good upfront package (M Sport Package) like when I got mine, but too damn much after the fact. Maybe even look into a M3 replica bumper, you can find those for a good price from the vendors on here.

[DeepD.Fast.Rider]

M Tech is the name for the M sport body bumper as shown in the silver coupe, what you have is the SE bumper, add the Aero Lip on, you can get cheap Tape sticking ones , but in bad weather or cheap tape, the adhesion will come off, and you will contribute to road debris with your aero spoiler, and probably have run over it...the proper kit comes with bolts, Ive fitted it to my old car. M tech is good if you want to go for it, personally the aero looks better, its got a good angle on the front scoop making it look mighty agressive.

M3s have a completely different bumper altogether, M Class cars have different bodies to M Sport Editions.

No This bumper will not accept CF splitters.

I also used a special bond glue, avoid the tape, its useless down there. Then had the whole thing painted with the original bumper, it looked like one colour and not 2 shades...

Rims...replica are good, but I would not buy a replica and put it on your car if its more than $30000, because replica rims are made with an average satisfactory comound used for all alloys, they are not at atrong or as durable as the original rims. Original Manafacturers rims are very well designed, material, weight balance, so you will get that above satisfactory look and feel, durability and longetivity...go for a good brand. I went for Finichi...loving the quality more than BMW Oems, they are morph wheels, so they dont buckle under high impacts (potholes).

Tyres...you can get comething called tyre weld with non runflat tyres, but as pointed out, you run the risk of no spare tyre. I personally dont use RFTs I use a trye that has a soft compund so I get awsome grip and good handling in wet and dry. Michelin or Pirellei or Goodyear are good tyres.

RFTs are expensive, and once damaged, cant be repaired, and give a hard ride, I was with the design engineers of the RFTs bridgestone in 2010, they know there was a fault with the old RFTs (amplified impact shocks to 19" 5 spoke rims, cracking them) so they have brought out a new compound which absorbs impacts, but maintains siff rides, and gives a smooth ride at the same time...I didnt try this tyre and cant vouch for them, but it apparantely was to be fitted on 2011 models. It does not exgerate damage the alloys like the old ones, ask for the new design bridgestone RFTs. Again Bridgestone or Michelin

Hope that helps.

[DeepD.Fast.Rider]

oh yea, and sory Ofset....Offset is a measure of the tolerance moreso than a spec,

Front Rims are measured as J type flange, so you should have 8 - 8.5 J in the front, this will correspond to trye size of 225 to 235, (for 235 Tyre profile 35), and ofset no more than 35-40
Rear Rims are measured as type flange J, so you should have 9 - 9.5 J in the front, this will correspond to trye size of 245 to 265, (for 265 Tyre profile 30) and ofset no more than 32-38

Please note that you need to make sure the overall circumfrence of your tyre doesent change also, so as not to give you different speeds etc, get a tyre specialist to advise you or use the tool on this forum. You have to match the following things;

Tyre Profile, Rim Diameter, Rim Profile (J) , Tire Width , Rim Width
, Tyre Diameter

Check if you try to match suitability yourself.

[BAYsic]

You have all been so incredibly helpful. Thanks so much.

I am ordering the aero lip this week and will start hunting around for rims/tires. Fortunately, the lip is a decent price. I actually like the aero lip more than the m-tech front, but the m-tech rear diffuser and rocker panels are mighty nice.

I am forgoing the m-tech parts altogether and will likely apply those funds towards swapping out my grey poplar trim for brushed aluminum. Love the look of the brushed aluminum on black leather, but my car has grey leather, so I will have to hunt around and see if I like the contrast of the silver on grey. CF trim is definitely out of budget and not going to happen.

After these aesthetic mods, I am taking it to the dealership. The car has three open recalls (HPFP and software updates) and after that, I will finally be able to enjoy it.

Thanks all.

[jlspeed29]

can someone link me to the 313 reps?


*** nm found them